Inside Out, Pixar's 15th feature film, released nation wide yesterday to an outstanding critical concesus with a spectacular 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. Of 180 reviews, only 4 were rotten, with the other 176 being positive. Critics and audiences alike have been clamoring to see this film and that has definitely proven with not only their words but also their wallets. Inside Out, beating out Universal's juggernaut Jurassic World, scored an impressive $34.2 Million on opening day, just ahead of Jurassic World's $29.1 Million. Inside Out's impressive opening is the #2 biggest opening day in Pixar history, right behind 2010's Toy Story 3 with $41.1 Million. More on Inside Out's impressive score at the box office, on Rotten Tomatoes, and what this means for the future of Inside Out and Pixar's upcoming films all after the break!

First things first: If you haven't read my review of Inside Out yet, I'll tell that this film is special and unlike anything that we have ever seen before. For me, Inside Out stands as my second favorite Pixar film of all time, right behind Up which is still my favorite film not just of Pixar's, but ever. The thing that makes Inside Out so special is how universal the story and characters are. Everyone can relate because every single human on this planet experiences emotion- it is part of our human condition. The premise for Inside Out drives the film into uncharted territory and does so in a way that makes you giddy inside. Or at least it does for me.

With that out of the way, the box office returns and critical consensus will surely hold on strong as this summer progresses, making Inside Out an instant hit. The only competition that inside Out really has in the family market is Universal's Minions, a prequel/spin-off of the Despicable Me franchise. Although Minions is sure to be huge, Inside Out I believe will have much stronger legs. And beyond that, Inside Out will be turning heads in the Oscar arena. Critics have already been talking about the film instantly winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, not a very hard title to achieve considering the lack of competition. The real question that comes along with the Oscars concerning Inside Out really starts with the categories beyond Animated Feature. Original Screenplay, Score, and Best Picture all may be very likely candidates for Inside Out. While a Best Picture nod may be a bit much, we mustn't forget that animated features have been nominated before. Beauty and the Beast, Up, and Toy Story 3 all got the recognition of being nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Honestly, if there were to be any film that would have the greatest chance of receiving that recognition, I believe it would be Inside Out. Even since I saw Up receive a Best Picture nomination in 2010, it has been my dream to have an animated feature film win the award for Best Picture at the Oscars. It's not so much about the actual award itself as it is the prestige and honor. Animated films get flack all of the time for being "kiddy" movies. To see a film get that kind of recognition would change the entire industry dynamic of what animated films can, and should, strive to be. Not that Inside Out will be the film to win Best Picture, because quite frankly its just too early to tell. But the question is still valid.

As for the future of Pixar films after Inside Out, I see not necessarily a return to form, but rather a new finding. the Pixar title automatically wins audiences over with heart, tears, joy, and dollars. So with The Good Dinosaur, for instance, I can definitely see flocks of people going simply because of the success will come with inside Out. Summer 2016 and 2017, with Finding Dory and Toy Story 4, will surely be very successful in terms of financial returns, and hopefully also critical reactions. As for future original projects, I see Pixar films really blossoming as the financial returns for Inside Out prove that a film doesn't have to be franchise based in order to be financially successful.